“In a victory for the Save the Plastic Bag Coalition, a group of manufacturers, distributors and suppliers, Div. Five held that the California Environmental Quality Act required an environmental impact report given evidence increased paper bag use might significantly affect the environment.”

There’s a law in California that allows cities to create their own licensing process for bicycles, if they want to compel bikers to get licenses for their bikes. “CA CVC specifically states that if a city does require bike licenses, the fine for not having one can not exceed $10 (ten dollars) and will not include any jail time.” However, the fine folks of Santa Monica have thumbed their noses at this law and created penalties that don’t fit the crime in any reasonable sense. If you get nabbed riding an unlicensed bike in Santa Monica, they can put you in jail for 6 months and fine you for $1K. Maybe it’s just safer to drive?

“Ben Feldman, program manager of the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, said that the move was in step with the markets’ zero-waste campaign which aims to reduce and recycle plastic materials and to recycle and compost all waste products generated at the markets.”

“Environmentalists are unhappy that the ban only applies to four supermarkets in Palo Alto and not pharmacies or convenience stores.”

“Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich praised Malibu businesses for complying with the plastic bag ban.”

“The Los Gatos Town Council has unanimously approved a resolution supporting a countywide ordinance to eliminate disposable, single-use shopping bags.”

“We as a community can actually have an effect on what we do in terms of polluting or not polluting our planet.”